Jackson projected at 21st in the latest mock draft. Agents and scouts still hearing he is considering a return to UK still.

[Rideordiewildcat]

I know this is a long shot, but The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has him well outside of it in his latest projections, going No. 21 to the New York Knicks. Even more, he says he’s hearing from agents and scouts that Jackson is still considering returning to Kentucky for another season.

Hope is a good thing Red. Maybe the best thing.

Isaiah Jackson No. 21 in The Athletic's new mock draft | Kentucky Sports Radio

Isaiah Jackson is No. 21 in Sam Vecenie's new NBA mock draft for The Athletic.

kentuckysportsradio.com

 

[RunninRichie]

PLEASE, PLEASE! STOP! DAFFY CANT TAKE MUCH MORE!

 

[BassProCat]

You shut your mouth when you are speaking to me!

****in good news around every damn corner...long shot like the Hardy situation but hey hope for the best and prepare for the worst

 

[JonathanW]

I’ve seen anywhere from 12-37 in 5 mocks I looked at today, with the middle 3 being 15-26, which sounds about right.

I like that his family is saying to not rush it because of them. So I’m almost thinking it’s 50/50 he returns.

 

[Atrain7732]

Well I’m gonna just assume he’s gone and if he returns I will be ecstatic.

oh and since u went and put Shawshank in my head:

Get busy living or get busy dying

 

[westerncat]

I will be really great IF he returns. IF he come back this will be one of the best experience teams we have had in a long time. I'll wait and get excited when he is back on campus.

 

[BigBlueFan19]

If we somehow got Jackson back and add Hardy, would we be preseason favorites? I can’t see how we wouldn’t be! Before anyone says it, I know this isn’t likely or even possible!! Lol

 

[STL_Cat]

I won't believe this is even possible until I see it happen. That being said, the good news momentum has me wondering.

 

[Untouchables22]

If we somehow got Jackson back and add Hardy, would we be preseason favorites? I can’t see how we wouldn’t be! Before anyone says it, I know this isn’t likely or even possible!! Lol

No our biggest need is still a point guard....Hardy gets straight buckets he doesn’t distribute the rock.

 

[kyjeff1]

I'm the biggest proponent of guys returning, but even I think IJ should go pro. It’s not the first contract that matters, it's the second one and he has max deal written all over him.

I would love to have him back, there would not be a better front court in all of cbb, but I just don't see him coming back.

 

[kywildcats8]

Why not come back, improve your offensive game and become a no-doubt top 5-10 pick in a year

 

[Cats192]

Cal needs to be in his ear. Come back, dominate, go top 5.

 

[LEDGENDARY]

He doesn't seem to be working out with trainers, nor does he appear to be communicating with teams or working out for them. He seems content spending his time in Lexington, working out with teammates. It's a very odd situation, to say the least.

 

[Kybluedude]

Taking his cue from the PJ Washingtons. Smart. He has some holes in his game to fix before he’s a sure fire long term pro. His dad gets it.

 

[H-D cat]

I'm the biggest proponent of guys returning, but even I think IJ should go pro. It’s not the first contract that matters, it's the second one and he has max deal written all over him.

I would love to have him back, there would not be a better front court in all of cbb, but I just don't see him coming back.

I'm a fan of the University of Kentucky basketball program and want them to win basketball games and championships so I think he should come back.

 

[YardCat]

Maybe he is saying he is going to come back to make a NBA team tell him they are taking him at a certain pick. If no takers come back to the Cats.

 

[kyjeff1]

I'm a fan of the University of Kentucky basketball program and want them to win basketball games and championships so I think he should come back.

Haha, I'm with you, I feel the same way, I would love to get him back, but I would certainly understand it if he went pro.
I would hate to see him come back, get hurt and slip or not even get drafted.

 

[ACT ONE]

Put on 20lbs of muscle comeback and be number 1 pick next years NBA draft

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

Would be great to have him return but I highly doubt it unfortunately.

Fingers crossed!

 

[UKfan215]

He just needs to improve a little on his offensive game and he'll be lottery for sure next year. He otherwise has the athleticism and tools to be a terrific pro. His defense, shot blocking and rebounding are solid. He just needs to develop some offensive moves and prove that he can score, then he is golden. We're talking diamonds as big as horse turds!

 

[waltim5]

The projected salary for the 21st pick is 2,100,000 million dollars.
Would he pass that up?

 

[Fox2monk]

He doesn't seem to be working out with trainers, nor does he appear to be communicating with teams or working out for them. He seems content spending his time in Lexington, working out with teammates. It's a very odd situation, to say the least.

I will say it legitimately appears like he may come back. If he was hell bent on leaving he would already have an agent IMO.

 

[katwest]

The projected salary for the 21st pick is 2,100,000 million dollars.
Would he pass that up?

For 5 to 7 million next year yea he might.

 

[cats#1again]

I'm the biggest proponent of guys returning, but even I think IJ should go pro. It’s not the first contract that matters, it's the second one and he has max deal written all over him.

I would love to have him back, there would not be a better front court in all of cbb, but I just don't see him coming back.

I don't see max contract at all. WCS had more upside and he's not getting those kind of numbers.

 

[CatInCanuckLand]

I don't see max contract at all. WCS had more upside and he's not getting those kind of numbers.

WCS has (had) more upside than IJ? Lol.

Thank God for Dakari Johnson, because if WCS didn’t get hurt, there is no Aaron Harrison shots. We were a better team w/o him eating up valuable minutes.

 

[Cawood86]

I believe he needs another year. But I understand.

 

[Fitch44]

Willie is one of my fav cats, but he ain’t on IJ level.
Just stop.

 

[VA/UK]

PLEASE, PLEASE! STOP! DAFFY CANT TAKE MUCH MORE!

Daffy could go blind here in the next week or two.

 

[gamecockcat]

Put on 20lbs of muscle comeback and be number 1 pick next years NBA draft

Big men are not that much in demand in the NBA anymore. Unless IJ develops a mid-range or longer jumpshot, he's gonna be a 5 (a good one, but a 5) and I just don't think the NBA values a 5 to the same level as before. I think he could definitely move up into the lottery but #1? I just don't see it. But, it's all speculation now.

I think he stays in the draft and gets his $6+ million contract.

 

[cats#1again]

WCS has (had) more upside than IJ? Lol.

Thank God for Dakari Johnson, because if WCS didn’t get hurt, there is no Aaron Harrison shots. We were a better team w/o him eating up valuable minutes.

You're an idiot

He was a first team all american
Ij will never be on that level

 

[TOMCATS1990]

Hardy and Jackson are on the Roster next season I’m going to start printing the 40-0 shirts. I’ll send you all a link to buy one.

 

[cats#1again]

WCS has (had) more upside than IJ? Lol.

Thank God for Dakari Johnson, because if WCS didn’t get hurt, there is no Aaron Harrison shots. We were a better team w/o him eating up valuable minutes.

Ij is a product of pure speculation. Something everyone of our fans look to and believe he can turn into this refined big man.
It's not happening in the next year n half

I really don't think it's a close debate. WCS was something we've never had before. Ij is something you want him to become

 

[cats#1again]

Disrespect to put Jackson in the same breathe

 

[JonathanW]

I'm the biggest proponent of guys returning, but even I think IJ should go pro. It’s not the first contract that matters, it's the second one and he has max deal written all over him.

I would love to have him back, there would not be a better front court in all of cbb, but I just don't see him coming back.

I get what you are saying.
BUT, he is so raw now no way he doesn’t spend year 1 in G-league, and year 2 on a roster playing sparingly. That would only leave year 3 to earn that max 2nd contract. Not likely.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I think he stays. The first contract for him is the important one because he’s an unknown. I don’t see max deal on IJ. He missed a lot of clock this year because of fouls and didn’t get a chance to showcase his skills in the postseason. I don’t think he’s a lottery pick right now and his upside is far more than wcs who was the 6th overall pick.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

If he is going in the first round would Calipari even allow him to come back?

 

[*CatinIL*]

"IF" Jackson comes back...it will be a OH $#!+ moment for UK Basketball. Opponents will cower in a corner and beg for mercy.

But we will have to wait and see what the young man does...

 

[kyjeff1]

I get what you are saying.
BUT, he is so raw now no way he doesn’t spend year 1 in G-league, and year 2 on a roster playing sparingly. That would only leave year 3 to earn that max 2nd contract. Not likely.

Well yeah, but getting a first round deal and spending a year in the GL, is still a better option than going to college, playing for free and having to go to class.

Not to mention, you can workout with NBA caliber coaches with no restrictions, if he comes back, UK coaches can only work with him for limited hours.

I really hope he comes back, that would be amazing, but we all know that would go against the grain here at UK.

 

[kyjeff1]

I don't see max contract at all. WCS had more upside and he's not getting those kind of numbers.

You think WCS had more upside? Hell no, nit even close. Heck, IJ was better his freshman year than WCS was in his Junior year at UK.

Jackson started out slow, but he us ultea athletic and very long. If he develops a jumper, he will get a max deal.

 

[kyjeff1]

You're an idiot

He was a first team all american
Ij will never be on that level

WCS was not a first team AA his freshman year man. You’re comparing Junior WCS to freshman IJ and IJ was on a crap team. WCS was afraid of his own shadow in 2012/13 and didn't do much of anything in 13/14.

IJ is 10 times the NBA prospect WCS ever was.